Using Science as Evidence in Public Policy encourages scientists to think differently about the use of scientific evidence in policy making. This report investigates why scientific evidence is important to policy making and argues that an extensive body of research knowledge utilization has not led to any widely accepted explanation of what it means to sue science in public policy. This report identifies the gaps in our understanding and develops a framework for a new field of research to fill those gaps.

For social scientists in a number of specialized fields, this report shows how to bring their expertise to bear on the study of using science to inform public policy. More generally, this report will be of special interest to scientists who want to see their research used in policy making, offering guidance on what is required beyond producing quality research, beyond translating results into more understandable terms, and beyond brokering the results through intermediaries, such as think tanks, lobbyists, and advocacy groups.

For administrators and faculty in public policy programs and schools, this report identifies critical elements of instruction that will better equip graduates to promote the use of science in policy making.

This report was sponsored by the William T. Grant Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Spencer Foundation, and the National Science Foundation.

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